San Juan Pier Damage Continues to Disrupt Royal Caribbean Cruises

Royal Caribbean is grappling with significant challenges at San Juan’s cruise pier in Puerto Rico, leading to last-minute itinerary changes for one of its largest vessels, Symphony of the Seas. 

The damage to the pier has disrupted the planned 1st December 2024 sailing, prompting the ship to skip San Juan entirely. Instead, passengers will now enjoy stops at Labadee, Haiti; Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; and Nassau, Bahamas.

What Happened to the San Juan Pier?

The issue stems from reported damage caused by an incident involving an MSC cruise ship in April 2024.

The pier, which has had a turbulent history, was previously rebuilt after the Norwegian Epic crashed into it years ago. This video shows what happened:

Now, despite not collapsing, it appears a full reconstruction is needed again, leaving the timeline for repairs uncertain. Current estimates suggest completion might not occur until the second quarter of 2026, which could continue to disrupt itineraries for Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class ships.

Online commenters familiar with the situation expressed frustration over the delays:

• “That pier took years to be rebuilt after the NCL Epic crashed into it. Now we are still waiting on San Juan Cruise Port to fix it and have no idea when it’s going to be completed.”
• “That pier will not be complete until second quarter 2026 according to reports and yet they are still selling cruises on Symphony and also Star next September!”

Impact on Current and Future Sailings

While larger vessels like Symphony of the Seas are forced to adjust their routes, the Pan American Pier across the harbour remains fully operational. This terminal is accommodating smaller ships, including Rhapsody of the Seas, which continues round-trip itineraries from San Juan unaffected.

However, if the primary cruise pier remains out of service, Royal Caribbean will likely face continued disruptions, necessitating ongoing adjustments to their itineraries.

Mixed Reactions from Passengers

Royal Caribbean has proactively communicated these changes to passengers, ensuring they are informed and prepared for the revised itinerary. While some guests expressed disappointment at missing San Juan, others have found the alternative destinations enjoyable:

• “I was on Symphony last week. Initially I was very disappointed with the port changes but ended up having a great day at both Labadee and especially Puerta Plata! Dominican Republic was fantastic!! We did the best excursion and had an awesome day!”

This sentiment highlights the importance of effective communication and flexibility in cruise planning. Royal Caribbean’s swift response and efforts to offer appealing alternatives demonstrate their commitment to maintaining passenger satisfaction despite the challenges.

Looking Ahead

As repairs on the San Juan pier progress, questions remain about how long it will take to restore operations for larger ships. The timeline for completion may affect Royal Caribbean’s future sailings, especially for their Oasis-class vessels.

Meanwhile, the cruise line continues to adapt and plan for contingencies, ensuring that passengers experience memorable journeys—even when plans change.

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